Chapter 16: Mentors
New York
2nd Year of College
It was mid semester for the College students of New York. Sebastian and Hunter had returned to being "best friends" but Barry of course knew better than to comment.
Sebastian felt it was relatively quiet around New York. With Kurt and Rachel all the way back in Ohio to rebuild their Glee Club and Blaine working hard on his music and keeping himself busy while Kurt was at Ohio.
But of course the silence is always a calm before the storm.
Just a week before their midterms, Sebastian receives a phone call from a familiar Warbler. He was cleaning up after the whirlwind that is happening. He had misplaced his glasses and he cannot study properly without them. He gathered his notes in a pile on his table (still unable to find his glasses) when his phone rang.
"Skylar." Sebastian answers with his phone on his shoulder while he continued to clean up the mess of notes and clothes around his room. "What has you calling this number in the middle of the school year?"
"Hi Bas." Skylar said. Sebastian could hear the grimace through the phone. Skylar had always been a bit too uptight on the best of times. But Sebastian thought that his uptight nature and frank disposition was perfect for the rebuilding of the Warbler Council. He reminded Sebastian of Wes. Just a little mellowed down. "Do you have a minute?"
The serious tone of his voice had caught Sebastian's attention. He put down the stack of papers in his hand and held the phone to his ear. "Yeah what's wrong?"
"I… We need your advice."
It wasn't long until the Warblers had a Skype call with Sebastian. Sebastian felt it was weird seeing all the new faces as well as the Warbler Choir Room in a small screen.
"Well it looks like you have a full team." Sebastian commented. "How hard was the screening for new members?"
"A bit easier since we only graduated four last year." A flambouyant veteran Warbler, that Thad elected to be part of the council, said. "There were so many terrible ones that year."
"Thank you, John." Skylar interrupted. "I'm sorry to bother you with this Sebastian. But we really need your advice."
"Alright. You have captured my interest." Sebastian said, "What seems to be the problem."
The Warblers broke into two groups and started to quarrel. Arguing both to Sebastian and each other. The council was unable to calm the group, mostly because the only one who was trying to calm them down was Skylar. The other two were arguing along with the rest of the Warblers.
Sebastian rummaged through the drawers of his bedside table and found a whistle from his PE class.
He blew the whistle that could be heard through the mic and the ones closest to the computer covered their ears.
"I may not be the current Head of the Warblers, but I refuse to be treated with such disrespect." Sebastian said sternly along with a glare causing some of the newer Warblers to look down at their feet while those that he knew from his time at Dalton looked at him sheepishly. Momentarily forgetting that Sebastian used to rule the Warblers with an iron fist and a sharp tongue on bad days. "Now Skylar, explain."
"A few days ago, a student…"
"A Female Student!" one of the Warblers intervened causing Sebastian to glare at him. The usually loud spoken and confident Warbler now had a tail between his legs under the gaze of the Alumni Wabler.
"Anyways, she is asking to be part of the Warblers."
"And she is studying at Dalton." Sebastian asked to clarify. "Not at Crawford?"
"Apparently her father was a Dalton alumni and wanted for her to study here."
"Okay what seems to be the problem?"
All the Warblers were looking at him incredulously. It looked like a start of another high minded debate until Sebastian gave them a look and Skylar banged the gavel.
One Warbler decided to raise his hand instead.
"Yes,"
"With all due respect." He said warily. "What we are trying to figure out is what to do. A female student in Dalton Academy hasn't been unheard of. But a female Warbler has never happened before. What of brotherhood and tradition."
"What about the sexual tension?" another asked, "We can never get anything done."
"Warblers, seeing as I am an alumni, I am a non-voting member of this council. So I shall leave the decision of the council and it's members. But let's be on the right side of history here. The Warblers started since the 17th Century. When women were home givers and carers. We are in the 21st Century. Women are now leading nations, making significant change in the world. We do not have the luxury be as closed minded as our predecessors."
"What about Squirrels." John (the idiot) said. "Should they be allowed to join the Warblers the very premise of your argument is laughable."
"So is yours." One of the Warblers exclaimed and the argument was back on. Sebastian and Skylar both rubbed their temples as the Warblers continued to argue. Skylar banged his gavel.
"As current Head Warbler, I propose a compromise. We may be allowed to refuse entry based on gender or we may not. But what is not in question is our right to refuse entry based on talent."
The Warblers looked at him blankly.
"What I mean is, shouldn't we first find out if she can sing?"
"All those in favor?"
"Aye!"
"Okay, so I think my work here is done." Sebastian said. Putting his hand on the side of his pillow and he found his glasses. "And lookie here, you guys actually helped me with my current issue. So I have a long weekend sometime next week due to some big meeting. So I am swinging by to check on you guys. And of course don't hesitate to call."
After the Warblers said their goodbyes, Sebastian sighed.
"Back to work"
~()~
Sebastian arrived at Ohio late Friday night and met with Skylar at Lima Bean Saturday afternoon.
"So any update with the girl Warbler front?"
"Well." Skylar said playing with his hands. "Jane can sing. She was amazing."
"But?"
"The Warblers stood against her." Skylar said. "I really don't want to break the bad news to her. She's in one of my classes. She's nice and has a very good personality…"
"Skylar," Sebastian interrupted. "You are the Head Warbler. Elected by nnot only me but your fellow Warblers. And as cheesy as it sounds, With great power..."
"Comes great responsibility, I know." Skylar said with his head down. "When did you start quoting Spiderman?"
"Since I started living with my geeky brother again." Sebastian said with fondness. "If it were regular auditions it would be fine to post up a sheet of paper with those who got in but she approached you directly. So it is your responsibility to tell her yourself. Despite your personal decision on her spot on the team."
"Did you have to do that?"
"Two or three times." Sebastian said. "As head Warbler, you are the main spokesperson for the Warblers. So if it were the council's decision, it is your responsibility to talk to her."
Skylar frowned. "I just really don't want her to make an enemy of the Warblers. I mean. She's a great person. She's nice, she's a great friend."
"Then let her understand." Sebastian said, "explain to her. The Warblers are a brotherhood. And sometimes, tradition is important. And to most of the boys in the Warblers, Tradition is."
"I am not like you Sebastian." Skylar said sadly. "I don't know how to tell her that I can't inspire people or help them see reason like you used to. I…I don't even know how in the world was I elected to become the head Warbler."
"Because they all believe that you will do the right thing and respect decision of the majority." Sebastian said. "They believe that you know your responsibility."
Skylar put his head down in defeat. "Alright."
~()~
Sebastian was sitting looking over one of his books in Lima Bean one afternoon when a shadow went over his vision.
"Well, well, well, if it isn't the smirking meerkat." Rachel Berry was standing in front of Sebastian with her arms crossed and a playful smirk in her face.
"Rachel Berry." Sebastian greeted standing up and giving his cousin a hug.
"What are you doing here?" she asked. "All the way at Lima."
"The Warblers needed me."
"What happened?" Rachel asked planting herself across Sebastian with her drink in hand.
"What is this?" Sebastian asked playfully. "Rachel Berry, I am a Warbler, you cannot expect me to give up valuable information. What would Lady Hummel say, conniving with the enemy?"
Rachel slapped Sebastian's arm who just laughed.
"It's nothing big." Sebastian said. "One of the younger Warblers from when I was Captain asked for advice."
"What kind of advice, maybe I can help."
"There is a girl at Dalton, who wants to be a Warbler."
"What's the dilemma?"
"Well, tradition is important to these boys." Sebastian explained, "The Warblers were a solid brotherhood since Dalton Academy was built."
"Yeah, well some traditions are meant to be broken." Rachel lectured. "You can't be at the wrong side of history here."
"I know. And I told that to the Warblers, who proposed a compromise. They let her try out…"
"and?" Rachel interrupted impatiently.
"Well, Skylar said she was phenominal…"
"But?"
Sebastian made a face. And continued. "The Warblers voted against her."
"That's horrible. I thought you said she was amazing." Rachel exclaimed. "The Warblers possibly have an incredible asset knocking at their door. And they are looking at a gift horse in the mouth. Just because she's a girl?"
"Rachel, I am not a member of the Dalton Academy Faculty, nor do I have any more control over what happens between the Warblers, I am merely a mentor they look for when they are at a bind. So please do not lecture me."
"I'm sorry." Rachel said sheepishly. "It's just McKinley has changed."
"What happened?"
"The New Directions is starting from scratch again…"
"From scratch?" Sebastian asked in surprise. "What happened to your old Glee club with singing about your feelings and catching your dreams and all that."
"The school doesn't have enough money to keep the glee club running since we didn't win two years ago. So the glee club was disbanded."
"So you have to start from the beginning."
"Yes, but Sue has got these kids believing that the Arts don't exist. So we have to look for all those kids one by one. And Kitty is still at McKinley."
"Blonde Elmo?" Sebastian asked with a raised eyebrow, which Rachel ignored.
"And now the whole school thinks that Glee club is some stupid club in the bottom of the food chain that only brings terrible fate to it's members."
"Rachel, not every school is like Dalton." Sebastian pointed out. "Even in Carmichael Academy's Glee Club, the most egotistic Glee club in the whole country, isn't in good standing within their walls."
"But I thought that Vocal Adrenalin has all these alumni gifts and support within it's faculty."
"Yes, but within those walls. Most of the student body, think of them as losers. Just athletes who chose to wear tights instead of jerseys."
"How do you know this?"
Sebastian gave her a patented smirk. "I have my sources."
"Well, be that as it may, I only have three members in my team at the moment and I need a whole team by at least a week before the competition or we're out of the game."
"And this is why I dislike public schools." Sebastian said. "Lack of funding and bullies."
"But I am sure you'd suffer through all that, if you Barry was with you."
"True."
Just then Skylar comes in with a copper skinned girl who wore a Dalton Uniform.
After they ordered, Sebastian waved at the younger boy who walked towards the table.
"Hey Sebastian"
"I want to introduce you to someone." Sebastian said "Rachel this is Skylar, the new Head Warbler. Skylar this is Rachel Berry."
The two exchanged a hand shake. Then Skylar remembered his companion and motioned for her to come towards the table.
He then pulled the girl closer to the table. "And this is Jane. Jane, this is…"
"Sebastian Smythe." Sebastian said holding out his hand to Jane. Who looked at him with wide eyes. "And this is my friend Rachel Berry."
"It's nice to meet you both." She said still a bit awestruck. But her facial expression turned to confusion.
"Can I say something? What are you both doing here?" she asked "I heard that you both were in New York."
"I am here to visit my alma mater." Sebastian said offhand. Then an idea came to mind. "But Rachel here is here to rebuild her Glee Club."
"Yeah." Rachel said eyeing Sebastian with suspicion.
"Rebuild?" Jane asked. "The New Directions?"
"Yeah." Sebastian said. "The school went into an administration development to increase the academic standing of the school. But within that time frame, there was no one to head the club, and now Rachel Berry is back to get it back on it's feet."
"Which is one more strong competition for us." Skylar added. "To think I thought we were going to win this year."
Skylar gave Sebastian a wink.Figuring out what Sebastian had in mind. I knew I liked that kid. Sebastian thought
"Hey, don't count us out before the competition even starts." Rachel said competitively. "The New Directions is going to come back stronger than ever."
"That's nice." Jane said wheels turning in her mind. Then looked at her phone. "Uh, I have to go home. My parents are expecting me. Thanks for the coffee, Sky. Nice meeting you both."
"Bye." Sebastian said with a knowing smile. As soon as she was out of Lima Bean. The two Warblers high fived.
"What was that all about?"
"Well you just got yourself one more member to your team." Sebastian said closing his book with a smile. "You're Welcome."
S.T.A.R. Labs
Age 26 (?)
Sebastian went to S.T.A.R. Labs to visit the Flash Team. It's been a while since he has checked up with his brother. What happened with their Father's departure has shaken Sebastian more than it had Barry. And it took him a bit longer to recover.
When Sebastian entered the Cortex, he found a tall muscular man standing shirtless in the middle of the cortex.
"Barry, I am telling you I am on your side."
"Who are you?" Sebastian asked suddenly skeptical.
"I am the Flash." The strange man said cautiously.
"No your not." Sebastian said his guard up.
"You're not Barry Allen." The man said with a realization. He then lunged forward.
Sebastian instinctively remembered the defense moves Hunter had taught him. Sebastian used his momentum to flip him to his back. The muscle man instantly got back to his feet and Sebastian had his arms up.
He gave a set of jabs and Sebastian ducked most of it. He thought he was doing exceptionally well and Hunter was probably not going to let him live this down.
"What the hell?" Iris exclaimed
Sebastian turned which was a mistake. Then next thing he knew a sudden pain exploded at his jaw and his world suddenly blurred and darkened.
"Sebastian!" Iris rushed to Sebastian's side and Caitlin was checking his vitals.
"Sebastian?" Jay asked confused.
"Barry Allen's twin brother?" Iris said with a glare. Cisco and Caitlin got Sebastian on the examination table they had in the Cortex.
"Barry has a twin brother?" Jay asked.
"Yeah, and Barry is very protective of him." Iris said. Barry suddenly burst into the room. And when he saw Sebastian unconscious on the examination table. He went ballistic.
"What the hell happened here!" he demanded. It took him a bit to put to and to together.
"Someone please bring Jay back to his cell." He snarled. And proceeded back to the room where his brother lay unconscious.
"How is he Caitlin?"
"Thankfully, Jay didn't him hard enough to give permanent damage. Just enough to knock him out." Caitlin said "Sebastian should be out and about in a bit. But he might have a pretty big bruise."
"Okay, thanks Caitlin."
~()~
Sebastian groaned as his jaw throbbed and his vision still blur. He saw what he assumed was his brother standing over him.
"Barry?"
"Hey Bas." He said "How are you feeling?"
"Like the first time I was stupid enough to go against Hunter during his Roid Rage senior year." Sebastian said with a grimace. "Who was that?"
"No one you need to worry about." Barry said quickly.
"From the looks of it, it is someone I should worry about." Sebastian said a little more coherent. And looking at Barry seriously.
"You don't need to keep looking out for me Sebastian. I am a grown man, I can take care of myself."
"I now that." Sebastian said getting off the examination table and stood in front of Barry. "but I am your older brother. I will always be looking out for you."
"You can't help me in this one." Barry said. "This is way out of anything you are used to."
Sebastian crossed his arms and gave Barry a serious look. "Try me."
Barry sighed and gave Sebastian the run down of what has happened the past few days.
"So what seems to be the problem?"
"You're kidding me right?" Barry said incredulously "A strange man, who claims to be from this other world walks in here and knows all our names, and tells me that there is this…other speedster that wants to kill me and is sending these alternative world metahumans here to do it. Oh and he also says that he was known as the Flash in his world but he conveniently lost his powers on the way here. And there is no problem?"
"I am not saying that there is no problem, Barry." Sebastian said. "What I am saying is what is going on with you. Between the two of us, I am the paranoid one. And you are the one who always sees the good in people. From what I have gathered. Jay, whoever this man is, is someone who is willing to teach you everything he knows to help you stop a potential killer. And he is willing to teach you. He is subjecting himself to whatever tests that you do to him just to prove to you that he is at your side."
"I just don't trust him."
"What is it about this guy that you don't like?" Sebastian asked. Barry doesn't look his way. "Is it about Dr. Wells?"
"So many people died." Barry said. "All because we trusted him."
"But so many people are alive now." Sebastian said. "Because you trusted him."
"I don't know."
"Barry, I know how hard it is to trust people But you can't not trust people without loosing yourself. Before Dalton, I couldn't bear letting anyone in." Sebastian explained. "I couldn't bear thinking of what they would think of me when they found out of my past, our past. After all those people turned against you, me and dad. I couldn't bear let anyone in."
"I wasted five years of my life, living in the past. Afraid to move on. But you know what. It's not worth it." Sebastian said. "Living life too cautiously, that's not living Barry. And I hope you see it before you miss a blessing that is right in front of you."
MERRY CHRISTMAS GUYS!
Soo I managed to finish this chapter. I was planning to update all my on going stories but a few events happened. My best friend who moved abroad came home for Christmas, family stuff and a university wide celebration for Christmas :D so yeah I've been busy
Anyways Please Review
